Thermometer-case.



PATBNTED MAR. A24., 1903.

`A.v ASHENEEEGEE. THERMOMETER CASE. APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

A UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

ALBERT ASHENBERGER, OF ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA.

THERMOMETER-CASE.

srncrrrcar10N forming pare of Letters Patent No. 723,355, dated Maren 24, 190s.

' l Application ined september 241902, serial No. 124.685. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALBERT ASHENBERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkins, in the county of Randolph and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermometer- Cases; and I do declare the followingA to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.` Y

My invention relates to improvements in clinical thermometers, and has particular relation to means whereby the contained mercury may be readily set by the user.

Clinical thermometers, as is well known, are constructed in such manner as to permit of a relatively slow movement of the mercury when the temperature of the patient is being taken to enable the obtaining of an accurate reading of the thermometer by the physician without liability of change when removed from the patient. The return movement of the mercury is necessarily sluggish, and it is therefore the general practice in setting the mercury to whip the thermometer, causing not only a tedious operation on `the part of the user but also a liability of la breaking of the thermometer, as this must be done while removed from the case. Th'ese disadvantages can be overcome by making it possible to set the mercury while the thermometer is in its case, and this latter may be accomplished by subjecting the case to a movement which will give the mercury the force of centrifugal action.

The object of my invention is therefore to provide a clinical thermometer and its case with means for setting the mercury with the thermometer in its case and by centrifugal action.

To this and other ends,'the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter described, said invention consists in a thermometer and its case and means for setting the mercury while the thermometer is contained within the case.

It further consists in a thermometer and its case and means for setting the mercury by centrifugal action.

It further consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective view of athermometer-case of the form generally used when made of metal and showing my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a case for the form generally used when made of hard rubber and showing the application of my invention thereto. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the case shown in Fig. 2 with the thermometer in position therein.

Thermometer-cases are generally made of metal or hard rubber and of two parts, which when connected together (generally by a screw-threaded connection) are adapted to contain the thermometer', the latter being either loosely carried in the case or secured to one of the parts. In the drawings the case is designated as A and the two parts as a and a. The thermometer is designated as B,

In carrying thermometer-cases in the pocket or suspended by a chain or other means the top (designated as a) is uppermost and the thermometer is placed within the case with the bulb end b down in order that the mercury may be retained in its bulb end when not in use. It will therefore be readily understood that if means be provided at the top end of the case, whereby the latter can be given a circular movement-in other Words, be swung on a pivotthe mercury in the thermometer will be forced toward the bulb by the action of centrifugal force by simply giving the case its pivotal movement. One form of accomplishing this result is shown in the drawings, consisting in mounting at the top of the case a pivot-bar C, on which the case may freely rotate, the bar being gripped by the user. A

The bar C may be of any suitable form, that shown in the drawings, however, being preferred, it having at one end a ring-shaped portion c, within which the finger may be -IOO passed, and having its other end bent upon itself, as at c', to prevent its Withdrawal from its bearings.

The manner of attaching the pivot-bar may vary according to the character of the case. For instance, in the case of a metallic case, as shown in Fig. 1 and in which the top a, consists merely of a cap, a bearing having eyes c2 is soldered or otherwise secured to the case, the eyes projecting on opposite sides of the case to form bearings through which the bar extends laterally of the case. Where the top of the case is of a greater length, as shown in Fig. 2, the top may be provided with openings extending diametrically, through which the bar is passed. In either case the thermometer-case is pivotally mounted on a part which is held by the operator. In either case the bar is located at a point between the ends of the case, although not necessarily extended through the case, as the eyes c2 have such specified location.

In use the bar may be held either by one hand or by both hands, the former being posfreedom, the latter when the mercury moves extremely sluggish. When used with one hand, a nger may be passed through the ring c or the ring grasped between the thumb and foretinger, the case being swung by striking it. When used by both hands, the bar is grasped at its ends between the thumb and forefinger and then swung rapidly pivotally, thus giving a centrifugal action to the mercury.

As will be seen, the pivot-bar extends in a direction laterally of the case, this relative arrangement being maintained permanently. There is therefore provided a structure in which the pivot-point is close to or Within the case, so that the rotating movement of the thermometer will be obtained Without liability of the case being injured or the parts pulled apart, asywould be the case were the pivot-bearin gs located at some distance away from the case and especially were the connection at the end of the case, thereby subjecting the entire case to the action of the ceny trifugal force, the strain being on the end of the case, as Well as at the point of connection of the cap' and the case. Furthermore, the

tance from the pivot-support greater force must be used in manipulating the device to obtain the proper result, in addition to which the circle described is larger and the movements not readily controlled.

It will be readily understood that the movement of the case may be given with slight exertion, and as the thermometer is protected by its case there is no liability of its becoming broken. When suspended by a chain, the latter may beattached to the ring c.

While I have shown one manner in which the invention may be carried into effect, it is to be understood that I reserve the right to use such modifications thereof as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is-`- l. The combination with a thermometer and its case; of a support therefor located at a point between the ends of the case and extending laterally of the case, the case being freely rotatable on the support, the axis of such rotation being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the thermometer and parallel to that of the support.

2; The combination with a thermometer and its case; of a pivot-bar carried by and extending laterally of the case and located at a point between the ends of the case, the case being freely rotatable on said bar, whereby the thermometer may be set by centrifugal action.

3. `The combination with a thermometer and its case; of a pivot-bar extending laterally of the case, said bar having projected ends to permit its being grasped by the operator.

4. A thermometer-case having a pivot-bar extending laterally thereof, one end of said bar havinga ring shape, said case being freely rotatable on said bar.

5. A thermometer-case having a pivot-bar extending laterally thereof at a point intermediate the ends of the case and in juxtaposition to the top of the case, said bar being of a length greater than the diameter of the case, the case being freely rotatable on said bar.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT ASHENBERGER. l/Vitnesses:

E. A. SCHooLFIELD, JNO. I. NALLEN.

IOO 

